"They're in hiding, they're fearful for what will happen to them after the APEC circus moves on, but they're safe at the moment," he said.

Greens say Government's explanation 'doesn't make sense'

Greens senator Richard Di Natale is calling on the Federal Government to explain the circumstances under which the protesters were asked to leave.

"The idea that these three West Papuans would go out, stick their necks out in the way that they did, make international headlines and simply leave the consulate and expose themselves to great danger just doesn't make sense," he said.

"In fact the reports indicate that they were threatened with being handed over to the authorities."

He says he will raise the issue in Parliament when it returns.

"I intend to pursue this matter through the Parliamentary process, we have the opportunity to get this detailed information through the estimates process," he said.

"I'll be writing to the Foreign Minister demanding a full explanation of what happened."